Scarlets are delighted to announce that Wales international tight-head prop Harri O’Connor has signed a new contract with the club.
The 25-year-old has become a familiar figure in the Scarlets front row since making his senior debut in 2020, going on to make 56 appearances for the club while also earning international recognition with Wales.
A powerful scrummager and proud product of the Scarlets pathway after joining the Scarlets Academy, O’Connor has continued to develop both on and off the field and remains an important part of the club’s plans moving forward.
He has made five appearances for Wales, winning his first Test cap against Italy during the 2024 Six Nations then playing in the internationals against South Africa and Australia (twice) that summer and has gained valuable experience in the URC.
His younger brother Sam, who is also now a member of the senior squad, joined the Academy in the same year with the pair having become the latest set of brothers to represent the club. The brothers were born in Northallerton in North Yorkshire.
As Harri enters what is traditionally considered the prime development period for front-row forwards, he believes the club is moving in the right direction and is excited by the opportunity ahead.
Harri O’Connor said: “I’m delighted to have signed a new contract with Scarlets. This club has played a huge part in my development and I genuinely believe there is an exciting future ahead.
“The competition within the squad is strong and that’s exactly what you want as a player because it drives standards and pushes everyone to improve.
“We’ve got a playing group that cares deeply about this club and its success and the supporters who back us. We know we can be better and there is a real determination throughout the squad to keep improving and move things forward.”
Scarlets Interim Director of Rugby Nigel Davies said: “At 25, Harri is still very much a young man in terms of front-row forwards. He already has Test match experience for Wales and played more than a half century of games for the Scarlets in the URC and Europe.
“One of the things that has impressed me most since arriving at the club has been his attitude towards improvement. Harri sat down with the coaches, took on board the feedback he was given and has worked exceptionally hard on the areas of his game that we felt could take him to another level.
“As coaches, that’s exactly what you want to see. Players who are prepared to be honest with themselves, embrace challenge and commit fully to their own development.
“He is a proud Scarlets player, a Wales international and someone who genuinely wants to improve every day. Those qualities are incredibly valuable.”
Davies added that retaining players such as O’Connor is an important part of the club’s long-term strategy.
“We are working hard to build a squad with strong competition, a strong Welsh core and players who are committed to driving standards every day.”
“Harri fits that profile perfectly. He understands what it means to represent this club, he has already achieved a great deal in his career and we believe his best years are still ahead of him.“
“The front five is an area we are strengthening and re-signing Harri is part of that plan moving forward. We are developing a strong pool of young Welsh front-rowers at the club and I am sure Harri will want to push on to play a key role for the Scarlets in the coming seasons.”
Harri O’Connor follows No. 8 Fletcher Anderson, skipper Josh Macleod, scrum-half Gareth Davies, full-back Jac Davies, flanker Dan Davis and second row Sam Lousi in penning new deals with the club.